As a Pastor on occasion I get asked the question, “do you allow dancing at your church?”

Typically my response is we are absolutely against bad dancing that's for sure. The question they asked is not so much about behavior but really about line drawing. What do we consider worldliness and sin? In I John 2:15-17 the Apostle John defined worldliness when he wrote,

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires.”

You see worldliness is not “stuff” it is a “system” that takes over the loves of heart.

Desires of the flesh, the things that make me feel good.

Desires of the eyes, the things that make me look good.

Pride of life, my twisted desire to make sure you know just how good I am.

So how do you know if you are drifting into worldliness? The best way to check the heart is with honest heart questions. Here are a few core testing questions for you ask and answer before the Lord.

Distracted? Do you often daydream about the things that make you feel good, look good, or that show others how good you are?

Discontent? Is it easy for you to say “that’s enough I am satisfied?”

Defined? Is your identity and well being in things or positions?

Determined? Are you “obsessed” with getting more or moving ahead?

Deficit? Do you think about heaven every day?

Dictator? Are you the happiest when you are in control?

So how did you do? How is the old heart right now? The world is passing away so don’t spend your life chasing the things with an expiration date on them. Remember the words of the martyred missionary Jim Elliott, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep gaining that which he cannot lose.”